Talking to Children About COVID-19

COVID-19 & kids

How to talk to your children about the Coronavirus

Children look to their parents for guidance on how to react during stressful events. Often, as parents, we’re not sure how to react either. There are several ways that we can acknowledge some level of concern without panicking. Parents will want to teach positive preventive measures, discuss what fears their children may have, and give them a sense of some control over their risk of infection. All of these items can help reduce anxiety. Here are some tips offered by the to help: .

STAY CALM, LISTEN, AND OFFER REASSURANCE

  • Be a role model. Children will react to and follow your reactions. They learn from your example.

  • Be aware of how you talk about COVID-19. Your discussion about COVID-19 can increase or decrease your child's fear. If true, remind your child that your family is healthy, and you are going to do everything within your power to keep loved ones safe and well. Carefully listen or have them draw or write out their thoughts and feelings and respond with truth and reassurance.

  • Explain social distancing. Children probably don’t fully understand why parents/guardians aren’t allowing them to be with friends. Tell your child that your family is following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which include social distancing. Social distancing means staying away from others until the risk of contracting COVID-19 is under control. Showing older children the "flatten the curve" charts will help them grasp the significance of social distancing. Explain that while we don't know how long it will take to "flatten the curve" to reduce the number of those infected, we do know that this is a critical time—we must follow the guidelines of health experts to do our part.

  • Focus on the positive. Celebrate having more time to spend as a family. Make it as fun as possible. Do family projects. Organize belongings, create masterpieces. Sing, laugh, and go outside, if possible, to connect with nature and get needed exercise. Allow older children to connect with their friends virtually.

  • Establish and maintain a daily routine. Keeping a regular schedule provides a sense of control, predictability, calm, and well-being. It also helps children and other family members respect others’ need for quiet or uninterrupted time and when they can connect with friends virtually.

  • Offer lots of love and affection.

MONITOR TELEVISION VIEWING AND SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Parents/guardians should monitor television, internet, and social media viewing—both for themselves and their children. Watching continual updates on COVID-19 may increase fear and anxiety. Developmentally inappropriate information, or information designed for adults, can also cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children.

  • Provide alternatives. Engage your child in games or other exciting activities instead.

TAKE TIME TO TALK

  • Let your children's questions guide you. Answer their questions truthfully, but don't offer unnecessary details or facts. Don't avoid giving them the information that experts indicate as crucial to your children's well-being. Often, children and youth do not talk about their concerns because they are confused or don't want to worry loved ones. Younger children absorb scary information in waves. They ask questions, listen, play, and then repeat the cycle. Children always feel empowered if they can control some aspects of their life. A sense of control reduces fear. 

KEEP EXPLANATIONS AGE-APPROPRIATE

  • Early elementary school children. Provide brief, simple information that balances COVID-19 facts with appropriate reassurances that adults are there to help keep them healthy and to take care of them if they do get sick. Give simple examples of the steps people make every day to stop germs and stay healthy, such as washing hands. Use language such as "adults are working hard to keep you safe."

  • Upper elementary and early middle school children. This age group often is more vocal in asking questions about whether they indeed are safe and what will happen if COVID-19 spreads in their area. They may need assistance separating reality from rumor and fantasy. Discuss the efforts national, state, and community leaders are doing to prevent germs from spreading.

  • Upper middle and high school students. Issues can be discussed in more depth. Refer them to appropriate sources of COVID-19 facts. Provide honest, accurate, and factual information about the current status of COVID-19. Engage them in decision-making about family plans, scheduling, and helping with chores at home.

  • For all children, encourage them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. Be a good listener!

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

  • According to the CDC, symptoms of fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath appear within 14 days after being exposed to the disease.

  • For some people, the symptoms are similar to having a cold; for others, they are more severe or even life threatening.  

MODEL BASIC HYGIENE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PRACTICES

  • Practice daily good hygiene. Encourage your child to practice these simple steps to prevent spreading the virus. 

  • Wash your hands multiple times a day for 20 seconds. Singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday” twice is about 20 seconds.

  • Compliment your children when they use a Kleenex or sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow. Teach them the importance of throwing away used tissues immediately after sneezing or coughing.

  • Sadly, handshakes and hugs need to be limited to immediate family members, at least for now.  

  • Foster a sense of control. Offering guidance on what your child/children can do to prevent infection offers them a greater sense of control, which reduces anxiety. 

  • Build the immune system. Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly; this will help them develop a robust immune system to fight off illness. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 

For more information related to schools and physical and mental health, visit www.nasponline.org and www.nasn.org.



COVID-19Deidre Frithcovid19, children, coronavirus